Tuesday, 24 August 2010

From the window of our first floor flat we can see the island of Flat Holm in the Bristol Channel. On a clear day it is easily recognisable though too far away for me to get a reasonable photograph, those following are from the internet, and we always see the light from the lighthouse as soon as it is dark.

Since the Dark Ages, Flat Holm has been a retreat for monks and since then has acted as a sanctuary for Vikings, Anglo-Saxons, silver miners, smugglers and cholera victims. Fortified in Victorian times and again in World War II it is perhaps most famous for receiving the first ever radio message across water by Marconi in 1897.

Flat Holm is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest and Local Nature Reserve. The Project conserves the Island's natural and cultural features, from maritime grassland to Victorian barracks, from seabird colonies to wartime bunkers.

This is the foghorn station on the island

Thanks to Mrs Denise Nesbitt and her team who host ABC Wednesday. For further looks at the letter F, please click here.

Tuesday, 17 August 2010

Last Sunday was ESCAPE Day in our town. ESCAPE is Emergency Services Community Awareness and Promotion Event. Dozens of representative from local Emergency Services including the local Rescue Hovercraft, RNLI, HM Coastguard, Police, Fire and Rescue and Ambulance were on hand to give demonstrations and advice. I had forgotten all about it until I happened to glance out of my windows and saw this.

The weather was beautiful and there were lots of people taking an interest in it all and there was plenty to see. So pleasing to know that we don't just take our Emergency Services for granted.

Thanks to Mrs Denise Nesbitt and her team who host ABC Wednesday. For more looks at the letter D, please click here.

Tuesday, 10 August 2010

I love delphiniums and have tried to grow them, without much success until this year. Planted in my gardens they were the favoured food of the slugs and snails and I would not put down any deterrent as I was anxious about the birds, hedgehogs and frogs that also frequented the garden. When we moved to our first floor apartment I decided I would try again and grow them on our tiny balcony. I have succeeded and am delighted. Dainty blue flowers along the tall stems are still flowering. My determination has paid off at last.

I am very fond of the following poem by A A Milne, which was in a book given to me when I was a child.

The Dormouse and the Doctorby Alan Alexander Milne 1882-1956

There once was a Dormouse who lived in a bedOf delphiniums (blue) and geraniums (red),And all the day long he'd a wonderful viewOf geraniums (red) and delphiniums (blue).

A Doctor came hurrying round, and he said:"Tut-tut, I am sorry to find you in bed.Just say 'Ninety-nine' while I look at your chest....Don't you find that chrysanthemums answer the best?"

The Dormouse looked round at the view and replied(When he'd said "Ninety-nine") that he'd tried and he'd tried,And much the most answering things that he knewWere geraniums (red) and delphiniums (blue).

The Doctor stood frowning and shaking his head,And he took up his shiny silk hat as he said:"What the patient requires is a change," and he wentTo see some chrysanthemum people in Kent.

The Dormouse lay there, and he gazed at the viewOf geraniums (red) and delphiniums (blue),And he knew there was nothing he wanted insteadOf delphiniums (blue) and geraniums (red).

The Doctor came back and, to show what he meant,He had brought some chrysanthemum cuttings from Kent."Now these," he remarked, "give a much better viewThan geraniums (red) and delphiniums (blue)."

They took out their spades and they dug up the bedOf delphiniums (blue) and geraniums (red),And they planted chrysanthemums (yellow and white)."And now," said the Doctor, "we'll soon have you right."

The Dormouse looked out, and he said with a sigh:"I suppose all these people know better than I.It was silly, perhaps, but I did like the viewOf geraniums (red) and delphiniums (blue)."

The Doctor came round and examined his chest,And ordered him Nourishment, Tonics, and Rest."How very effective," he said, as he shookThe thermometer, "all these chrysanthemums look!"

The Dormouse turned over to shut out the sightOf the endless chrysanthemums (yellow and white)."How lovely," he thought, "to be back in a bedOf delphiniums (blue) and geraniums (red.)"

Wednesday, 4 August 2010

Found in Australia and the Malay Archipeligo. A flightless bird, smaller than an ostrich or emu but apparently is notoriously vicious and a fast runner (up to 30 mph/48 kph. It is mainly nocturnal and lives on fruit and berries and sometimes insects and small animals. A handsome creature. I think it looks as though it is wearing a red bow tie.

I took this photo in Adelaide Zoo a few years ago. My grandson (then about 7 years old) was with me and the bird seemed to be very interested in him. Wherever J moved to the bird followed. I was glad it couldn't get to us although I do feel sorry for the caged creatures.

Thanks to Mrs Denise Nesbitt and her team for hosting ABC Wednesday. For more looks at the letter C, please click here.